Fears over north Shropshire parking charges

Controversial off-street parking charges were rolled out in all but one of north Shropshire's market towns today despite fears they could sound a death knell for struggling town centres.

Shropshire Council has introduced the fees, from 10p for two hours, in Ellesmere, Wem and Market Drayton from today.

But Whitchurch has won a temporary reprieve after Shirehall has agreed to suspend charges there until a new car park in Mill Street can be opened to boost capacity.

Civic leaders in the other three towns this week called for their charges to be suspended until Whitchurch is ready to begin charging too, but Shropshire Council said there was "no real justification" for doing so.

Vandals in Wem have already made their feelings known by apparently defacing one of the new parking signs put up by Shropshire Council at Mill Street a few days ago.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council cabinet member for transport and IT, said the situation in Whitchurch would be resolved "imminently" but gave no details of the anticipated timescale.

At a meeting of Wem Town Council last night, Councillor Chris Mellings said Shropshire Council had "rushed" the changes through before giving people time consider setting up residents' parking zones.

In some car parks the first hour will be free in a bid to appease traders who fear a decline in footfall could harm businesses.